College of Education

John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education

The John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education is named in honor of former EMU President and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, John W. Porter. It is the first endowed chair in the College of Education. The John W. Porter Chair was largely funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation and the McGregor Foundation. The purpose of these generous contributions is to appoint a renowned scholar(s) in urban education and to provide innovative leadership for Eastern Michigan University in this field. The Chair is designed to actively expand the University's role in urban school districts in Michigan, with an emphasis on school-community partnerships.

2014-15

The John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education presents the 2014-15 Speaker Series:The African American Young Men of Promise Initiative. The 2014-15 Speaker Series is hosted by the Department of Leadership and Counseling. Theresa Saunders is chair of the Porter Chair Speaker Series Steering Committee. Guest speakers include:

2013-14

The John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education presents the 2013-14 Speaker Series: Reach, Teach, and Inspire. The 2013-14 Speaker Series is hosted by the Department of Special Education, celebrating a century of excellence. Derrick Fries is chair of the Porter Chair Speaker Series Steering Committee. Guest speakers include:

2012-13

Speaker series was not held during this academic year.

2011-12

The John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education presents the 2011-12 Speaker Series: Counternarratives: Hear the Voices of Civic Activism in Urban Education. The 2011-12 Speaker Series is hosted by the Department of Teacher Education. Pamela "PK" Smith is chair of the Porter Chair Speaker Series Steering Committee. Guest speakers include:

2010-11

With an overall theme of Veterans Welfare: Caring for Those Who Serve, the 2010-2011 Speaker Series was hosted by the Department of Leadership and Counseling. Dr. Dibya Choudhuri was Chair of the Porter Chair Speaker Series Steering Committee. Guest speakers and events included:

2008-09

The 2008-2009 Speaker Series was hosted by the Department of Special Education. Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle was Chair of the Porter Chair Speaker Series Steering Committee. The guest speaker was Dr. Beth Harry, a professor in the Special Education Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami (Florida). She shared her scholarship on the following topics:

Culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities.

Disproportionate representation of minority students with disabilities.